Federal Public Defender

Northern District of California

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding FPD Attorneys and Staff

• Barry Portman is the Federal Defender for the Northern District of California. The attorneys hired by Mr. Portman are known as "Assistant Federal Public Defenders" or "AFPDs." The AFPD appointed by the Magistrate Court at a defendant's initial appearance will represent that client throughout the case and any appeals.
   

• The Federal Public Defender is funded by the Administrative Office of the United States Judiciary.  It is independent of, and does not answer to, the United States Attorney's Office and Department of Justice.

• The Federal Public Defender has what as known as "vertical representation." This means that the same AFPD will represent the defendant in magistrate court, all district court proceedings, appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and for petitions for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States.
   

• An important asset of the Federal Defender's Office is its access to other defender offices throughout the state and nation.  Northern District AFPDs are trained at national training seminars, are frequent speakers at training events, and collaborate with their national colleagues in developing new defense challenges.  In addition, the three offices -- San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose -- work together closely in preparing new motions, investigating cases, and preparing for trial.

• The Northern District of California Federal Public Defender represents 75% of the defendants in criminal actions in this district.

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Oakland Federal Public Defender

Shawn Halbert, Supervising Attorney

Staff

6th Floor, Suite 650
555 - 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94607-3627

(510) 637-3500

(510) 637-3507 (Fax)